Persona 5 Strikers
- February 22, 2021
- ATLUS
- 25h median play time
Persona 5 Strikers is a thrilling action RPG that follows the Phantom Thieves as they explore a mysterious phenomenon occurring across Japan. Using familiar Persona abilities and a new action-based combat system, players battle enemies known as Jails and their shadows. The game continues the story of Persona 5, deepening the characters' relationships and uncovering the truth behind the Jails.
Reviews
- story4,312 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of *Persona 5 Strikers* serves as a direct sequel to *Persona 5*, continuing the adventures of the Phantom Thieves during a summer road trip across Japan. While the narrative retains the charm and character dynamics of the original, many reviewers note that it often feels like a rehash of familiar plot points, lacking the depth and complexity found in *Persona 5 Royal*. New characters Zenkichi and Sophia are well-received, adding fresh elements to the story, but the overall pacing and predictability have drawn mixed responses, with some players feeling the story drags at times. Overall, fans of the series will likely enjoy the continuation of the beloved characters and their interactions, even if the story doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessor.
“The game picks up after the events of Persona 5, and the story feels like it's really well crafted.”
“The story itself takes you on a road trip across Japanese holiday spots as you're uncovering another world-threatening conspiracy focused around AI.”
“Strikers is the perfect continuation of the Persona 5 storyline and it includes musou gameplay, so if you enjoy both things, this game is a must-buy for you.”
“The story is boring, characters are one-note versions of their mainline selves, and most importantly the gameplay sucks ass. I hope you like 10-second Dynasty Warriors battles followed by 5 minutes of pointless dialogue looping over and over because that's all this game seems to be.”
“The story feels like a rehash of most of the story beats of Persona 5.”
“The pacing is unbalanced in that the story sections pass by really quickly and break one of the biggest rules in storytelling, 'show, don't tell.' In other words, a lot of information is told instead of being shown, with the cast just kind of stumbling into problems instead of having them be something that personally affects them.”
- gameplay2,610 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Persona 5 Strikers has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the transition from traditional turn-based combat to a hack-and-slash style reminiscent of the Dynasty Warriors series. While some find the integration of Persona mechanics like elemental weaknesses and all-out attacks engaging and satisfying, others criticize the gameplay for being repetitive and lacking depth compared to the original Persona titles. Overall, the game is seen as a fun and unique spin-off that retains the essence of the Persona series, though it may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer the original gameplay style.
“Strikers is the perfect continuation of the Persona 5 storyline and it includes musou gameplay, so if you enjoy both things, this game is a must buy for you.”
“The gameplay mechanics in Persona 5 Strikers add a new layer of excitement to the series.”
“The transition to real-time combat is a breath of fresh air, combining the strategic elements of the original with fast-paced, hack-and-slash mechanics.”
“Story is boring, characters are one-note versions of their mainline selves, and most importantly the gameplay sucks ass. I hope you like 10-second Dynasty Warriors battles followed by 5 minutes of pointless dialogue looping over and over because that's all this game seems to be.”
“Gameplay's boring af and super repetitive.”
“The gameplay loop is novel at first if you're coming from the slow, turn-based combat of the mainline games, but gets very boring and repetitive towards the later half of the game.”
- music1,826 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Persona 5 Strikers" has been widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its exceptional quality and energetic compositions. The soundtrack features a mix of remixed tracks from the original "Persona 5" and new songs that incorporate rock elements, enhancing the game's fast-paced combat. While some players noted that the music can become repetitive during battles, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, delivering a captivating auditory experience that complements the game's vibrant visuals and engaging gameplay.
“The soundtrack was peak; mind-blowing and remarkable, they nailed it with its acid-jazz, rock, and obviously with Lyn's astonishing performance!”
“The music is indescribably good.”
“The music is great, as usual, but most of the tracks were already in Persona 5.”
“My critique of it is that the music is very repetitive per enemy encounter.”
“The new music sucks - unmemorable and the remixes of old songs range from alright to bad.”
“Even after fiddling with the audio, I haven't found a set of options that makes the music and dialogue feel like they have the right volumes.”
- graphics482 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of Persona 5 Strikers maintain the vibrant and stylish aesthetic of the original game, with many reviewers praising the art style and visual presentation. However, there are mixed opinions regarding performance, with some players experiencing lag and crashes, leading to frustration despite the visuals being described as beautiful and engaging. Overall, while the graphics are generally well-received, technical issues and performance inconsistencies detract from the experience for some players.
“Persona 5 Strikers is just as stylish and visually striking as in the original game, with that signature Persona aesthetic still front and center.”
“The vibrant, stylized visuals pop off the screen, whether you’re exploring jails or enjoying a quiet moment at Leblanc.”
“The visuals of this game are top-notch and maintain the flair and art style from the original game that we all know and love.”
“Gameplay is fine, story mid, terrible performance and graphics.”
“The game has worse graphics than the original title and different controls, but that is to be expected because it's not made by the same people as P5 and P5R.”
“This game doesn't even let me experience the story because it runs at 20 fps on the lowest possible graphics.”
- optimization258 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, particularly on high-end PCs. While some users experienced smooth gameplay without any technical problems, a substantial number highlighted that the game is poorly optimized, often requiring various fixes to achieve acceptable performance. Overall, the consensus leans towards the game needing substantial optimization improvements to enhance the player experience.
“Performance-wise, I'm happy to report that I didn't encounter any technical issues in the entirety of my 90+ hours playtime.”
“For optimization, it's nearly perfect; I ran it on a Radeon HD 7800 series (GPU from like 2013 that is also in PS4) and I was getting 60 fps 95% of the time.”
“Performance is smooth; this game is highly optimized for a first port of a current-gen persona game, the game managed to stay at 60 fps in my GTX 1650 Ti, with all the settings maxed out in 1080p.”
“The game is very poorly optimized.”
“Horrible performance on a PC with specs well above the recommended, even on the lowest settings.”
“This game is probably pretty good but I can't even play it even though my PC exceeds the system requirements because of all of the stuttering.”
- grinding236 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly when leveling up bond levels and farming for resources. While some appreciate the rewarding nature of grinding through the fusion system, others criticize the repetitive nature of quests and boss fights, which often feel like damage sponges. Overall, players suggest that while the game can be enjoyable, it requires a significant investment of time and patience to overcome its grind-heavy elements.
“However, the game allows you to increase the level of a persona by spending persona points (earned by fusion, releasing personae, or collecting personae from battle when your stock is full), so no tedious grinding is necessary to meet those requirements.”
“Almost no grinding was involved, and I had a lot of fun the entire time (except for a single battle).”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Lastly, grinding the bond level is a giant chore.”
“Not to mention the game still expects you to do the most boring thing, grind, and more grinding.”
“The grinding in this game is so unnecessarily tedious for late game personas, it requires much lower level personas to reach a threshold in level before you fuse them.”
- humor164 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with many praising the witty writing and character interactions that evoke laughter and warmth. While some moments are considered hilarious, others feel repetitive or forced, particularly in comparison to previous entries like Persona 5. Overall, the game successfully delivers a mix of funny and heartfelt moments, making it enjoyable for fans of the series.
“The writing is hilarious and amazing as always, loved getting more phantom thief interactions and the new characters were also amazing.”
“The characters stay true to themselves and there are plenty of funny and touching moments with them.”
“The combat is fun as hell and the character banter is hilarious.”
“The character of Sophie and her story arc is basically a recycling of Aigis from Persona 3; Zenkichi is just Dojima from Persona 4. The reprisal of the Persona 3/4 hot springs scene (they are all the same scene) is unnecessary, unfunny, and tired.”
- emotional122 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling and character development, often evoking strong feelings and even tears from players. Many reviews highlight the balance of hype and emotional moments, with touching interactions between characters and their antagonists, as well as nostalgic and wholesome experiences throughout the journey. However, some players note that the emotional impact may be lessened for those unfamiliar with the previous titles in the series, as the connections to characters and plot are more profound for returning fans.
“The plot of the story is very heartfelt and emotional.”
“If you liked Royal, this is a direct continuation and it broke me emotionally.”
“The story is as funny and emotional as ever and there are improvements on almost every level; the music is great, the characters still keep their development from the last game, the UI somehow tops the original, and the combat is very fun and addicting.”
- character development112 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Character development in "Persona 5 Strikers" is a mixed bag, with returning characters largely maintaining their established arcs from "Persona 5," resulting in minimal growth for them. However, the game shines in its development of new characters, particularly Zenkichi and Sophia, who receive well-crafted storylines that enhance the overall narrative. While fans of the original may appreciate the interactions and slight expansions of existing characters, newcomers might find the lack of depth in the original cast's development somewhat disappointing.
“The character development and interpersonal relationships maintain the depth and charm that fans have come to expect from the Persona series.”
“The captivating storyline, rich character development, and vibrant art style that fans love are all present, now complemented by dynamic real-time combat.”
“They even gave Haru much-needed character development that Persona 5 lacked, while also making everyone else more fleshed out, while sticking to who they were in the first game.”
“It appears as if the developers of P5S were given the impossible task of writing a story that didn’t spoil Persona 5 and consequently avoids any character development of the original cast.”
“There's little in the way of character development as all of the Phantom Thieves already had their character development and got to know each other.”
“Zero character development from the original characters.”
- stability112 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting frequent crashes, random freezes, and significant bugs that disrupt gameplay. While some users have experienced smooth performance, the overall consensus indicates that the game is poorly optimized and often unplayable, particularly on PC. Players are advised to be cautious, as these issues can lead to lost progress and frustrating gameplay experiences.
“The game is bug free and is buttery smooth; not a single crash throughout my playthrough.”
“Game runs great and loads fast on my AMD 2700X/GTX 1060 6GB setup, even when installed on a spinning HDD.”
“It runs great and looks awesome.”
“The game crashes and freezes very often (especially after long fights).”
“Constant crashes, freezes, and poor optimization make it almost unplayable.”
“Game constantly freezes, totally unacceptable.”
- replayability46 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the challenge of New Game+ and the ability to revisit bosses for rewards, many criticize its linear story and lack of meaningful replay options compared to previous Persona titles. Overall, it offers decent replay value for completionists and those seeking additional challenges, but may not satisfy fans looking for the depth typically found in the Persona series.
“Persona 5 Strikers offers more replayability compared to Persona 5 Royal, and I can't wait to get back into NG+ after clearing the post-game.”
“The game is fun and has side quests you can do for rewards such as money, experience, new weapons, items, etc. There is a ton of replayability.”
“It's a lot of fun and there's a lot of replay value, especially since the game rewards you for revisiting places you've already been to for additional bonuses.”
“It's definitely extremely linear and doesn't seem to have much meaningful replayability.”
“[b] Replayability is almost nonexistent [/b]”
“It lacked the replayability that all base Persona games have, but the challenge that merciless posed in the early stages of ng+ was indeed quite challenging.”
- atmosphere32 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to capture the essence of Persona 5, with standout music and unique dungeon themes that enhance the overall experience. While some reviewers noted that the details may not feel as distinct as previous entries, the combination of familiar characters, remixed tracks, and engaging environments successfully immerses players in the game's world. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a strong point, contributing significantly to the enjoyment of the sequel.
“Loved the remixed tracks from Persona 5 and the new tracks for the jails are perfect for the atmosphere.”
“Each dungeon theme is unique, and the atmospheres they set are great, borderline some of the best the series offers.”
“It still retains Persona's atmosphere, yet adds fast action combat gameplay which doesn't hurt this game in any way.”
“However, the details and the atmosphere do not feel as distinct as the three games helmed by the previous director.”
“This is true for gameplay, atmosphere, and even story--it hits many of the same beats, including a couple of the more tiresome ones.”
“The first jail has an absolute banger of a track, while the others do their job of building atmosphere well enough.”
- monetization14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players initially perceiving it as a cash grab due to its pricing and heavy advertising. However, many fans ultimately found value in the game, appreciating its genuine connection to the Persona series and its crafted gameplay, suggesting that while it may cater primarily to existing fans, it does not feel like a low-effort product. Overall, the sentiment leans towards a recognition of quality despite initial skepticism about its monetization strategy.
“Verdict: P5S is a toned down imitation of P5 that at times feels lovingly crafted, but mostly just a cynical cash grab made for fans and only fans.”
“The gameplay is excellent and at the start I thought it was just a total cash grab due to the price, but this is a genuine Persona game even with the involvement of Koei Tecmo in this game.”
“Thought it was a cash grab like the dancing games, but I really ended up liking it. If you're a Persona fan, then this is an easy buy; let's support the PC port so hopefully one day we get Persona 5 Royal on Steam too.”